I am very pleased to share the good news that the University of Texas System Board of Regents today approved our plans to build the new Jennie Sealy Hospital.

 

This is a momentous step in our efforts to revitalize our facilities and further advance our mission. Once open to the public in early 2016, the new hospital will complement our growing network of outpatient clinics and expand our current inpatient capacity, ensuring our continued ability to provide state-of-the-art care to a rapidly growing region and state. It will also promote patient- and family-centered care, and provide an ideal learning and working environment for students, faculty and staff.

 

The Regents’ approval of this project signifies not only UTMB’s importance to the health of the region and the state, but also that we have solid plans for ensuring our financial health well into the future.

 

This milestone also represents a tremendous collaborative effort on the part of countless UTMB faculty and staff, and I want to personally thank Donna Sollenberger, Dr. Garland Anderson, Bill Elger and their teams for their vision and expertise in planning for the new hospital.

 

I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to The Sealy & Smith Foundation, which has pledged $170 million to the $438 million hospital project. This is the largest single gift in the foundation’s 89-year history, and brings the foundation’s total giving to UTMB to nearly $800 million. So much of the excellence that exists here today is the result of Sealy & Smith generosity, and this new gift extends the foundation’s positive influence on health care in our city, our region and our state far into the future.

 

Finally, I want to thank the members of the 81^st and 82^nd Legislative sessions for approving and appropriating debt service for a $150 million Tuition Revenue Bond to support construction of the new hospital. We greatly appreciate their vote of confidence in our mission and our future.

 

The remaining $118 million in construction costs will be funded by UTMB and through a planned effort to raise $100 million in additional philanthropy.

 

Exciting days are ahead. You will be hearing soon about a “family” event to commemorate the demolition of the current Jennie Sealy Hospital, and we will provide updates as the project progresses. In the meantime, check here for more information on the Board of Regents’ approval.

 

I look forward to the opportunities the new Jennie Sealy Hospital affords us to train the health care work force of the future, provide an advanced healing environment for our patients, and create an outstanding work environment for our faculty and staff.

 

Again, sincerest thanks to everyone who has worked so hard and been so supportive of this vital new hospital.

 

Dr. David L. Callender
President